About us

Leeds Building Society Tax Strategy

Overview

At Leeds Building Society we recognise that tax pays for vital public services, which benefit our members, colleagues and communities, and gives us the strong foundations we need to thrive as a business in the long term. That’s why we’re committed to paying our fair share and reporting our tax affairs transparently to our stakeholders.

It is our policy to comply with all applicable tax laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We have formally adopted HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Code of Practice on Taxation for Banks and aim to pay the right amount of tax, at the right time, in compliance with the spirit, as well as the letter, of the law.

Risk appetite

We have a very low appetite for tax risk. In particular, we have zero tolerance for non-compliance and we will not act with the intention of achieving a tax position that is contrary to the intentions of Parliament.

Management of tax risk

We employ and train relevant colleagues to an appropriate level of knowledge to ensure that tax related activities are conducted accurately and in a professional manner. Where we do not possess the appropriate level of expertise, we will engage the services of external tax advisers. External advice will be sought for any transactions which could have a significant tax impact or where uncertainty as to the tax treatment exists.

We apply a three lines of defence model[i]to manage the risk of tax related activities and ensure appropriate oversight and accurate determination and reporting of our tax position.

The Audit Committee is responsible for annual approval of the Tax Strategy and the Tax Risk Management Policy, which outlines how we approach the management of tax risk, on behalf of the Board (last approval September 2018).

Our Chief Financial Officer is the appointed executive director responsible for tax related matters on behalf of the Society.

Tax planning

We manage our tax arrangements in line with genuine commercial activity and will not undertake transactions solely for the purposes of avoiding tax. We will make use of tax reliefs to which we are entitled without taking an aggressive interpretation of the relevant legislation.

We do not maintain any connection to tax havens other than for legitimate trading activity with the purpose of serving the local community in that jurisdiction.

We will not use marketed or abusive tax avoidance schemes which are likely to fall foul of tax avoidance legislation in any jurisdiction in which we operate.

We seek to declare profits in the jurisdiction where their economic substance arises and report our tax position clearly in our Annual Report and Accounts.

Relationship with HMRC and other relevant tax authorities

The Society, with support from our advisers, maintains a professional and transparent relationship with HMRC and other relevant tax authorities. We will fully disclose significant uncertainties in relation to tax matters and seek to resolve issues before returns are filed wherever possible.

We will proactively engage with the relevant tax authorities in advance of undertaking any transaction where there is significant uncertainty as to whether the transaction is contrary to the intentions of Parliament.

[i] The three lines of defence model is standard practice in the financial services sector and comprises first line business management, external advisers (second line) and independent assurance from Internal Audit (third line) as necessary under a risk based approach.

The Society is covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service. The Society offers some savings products that may be operated through branches and by post and certain products which can be operated by post only.

Leeds Building Society is a member of the Building Societies Association.

Leeds Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Leeds Building Society is registered on the Financial Services Register under number 164992. You can check this on the FCA website at www.fca.org.uk/firms/systems-reporting/register or by calling 0800 111 6768. Buy to Let mortgages which are for business purposes are exempt from FCA Rules.

* We may monitor and/or record your telephone conversations with the Society to ensure consistent service levels (including colleague training).